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Buyers, Builders and History Buffs Will Love the Abundant Bounty of Options Here!

Imagine the Possibilities -- A One-of-a-Kind Expanded Vintage Two Story Combines Endless Charm and Character on a Rare Third Acre in Sherwood Forest!

Don't miss this classic gem with limitless potential, a truly unique Sherwood Forest treasure located on a double-wide 100'x146' foot lot -- over a third of an acre! Check with the City of Highland Park for potential to sub-divide.

A covered porch greets you, opening to an inviting center entry foyer with an expansive and surprisingly sunny view through the entire house from front to back! On the east/street side you'll find the large gracious living room with its wood burning fireplace and an adjoining office/sunroom with windows on three sides. The separate dining with its direct kitchen access and a large adjacent family room are on the west side of the foyer.

Stairs from the foyer lead to the second floor with its wide upper hallway and two-bedroom wings separated by a relaxing library/study. The hallway leads to the master bedroom suite featuring wide base and crown moldings, a walk-in closet and full bath, and a family bath, second bedroom with built-in desk, and library/study with access to a second bedroom wing including two more large bedrooms.

With an ultra-convenient location close to nearby park, shopping, highway access, two equidistant Metra train lines and the choice of Deerfield or Highland Park High Schools, this is truly a unique opportunity not to miss. Estate Sale -- Property to be sold as is.

To view the full description and collection of photos for this home please visit www.1260Sherwood.com!

As the hot summer temperatures slowly wind down, so does the real estate market and industry. Multiple offers are dwindling while the numbers of unsold homes for sale may be increasing competition for sellers. This is not abnormal in the fall or as the winter season approaches. Investment buyers, as well as home buyers, may retreat to the sidelines awaiting the return of warmer weather. Yet, those still active in the market will likely include folks whose homes have now just closed or those relocating here with immediate need to house their families. This can be a particularly good time of the year for a house hunter to find their ideal home and negotiate their way to a great deal.

However, before jumping into the negotiating process in a shifting market, buyers should be aware of a few key elements that can directly influence the effect of their efforts. At this time of year buyers and sellers may view the changing market in opposite perspectives. Sellers still think their homes are “special” and immune to the decline of the market, while buyers may think that sellers should be giving their homes away. Neither one is correct. Yes, the market may be changing, but it is not coming to a complete halt. Still, the ball may be more in the buyer’s court in terms of it being a negotiating season.

To negotiate the best deal, a buyer must do some homework. Buyers should examine the area in which they are looking for a home, the size of the home and the condition of the home amongst other variables. Likewise, sellers should seriously consider any and all offers that are presented. Savvy buyers equipped with comparables of recent home sales in the area will likely want to aggressively negotiate a fair, but low purchase price. They may look to buy slightly under the price of the last comparable home sold. Their intent, while not to offend the seller, may reflect the shifting and seasonal nature of the market.

For a buyer to be able to negotiate the best deal, they should try to ascertain the seller’s motivation. If a seller must sell due to, for example, divorce or job relocation, they will likely be highly motivated to negotiate a deal. Alternately, if the seller is simply seeking to downsize or in no rush, their motivation will undoubtedly be lower and, as a result, their desire to negotiate may be limited. Consequently, for any buyer, getting to the root of a seller’s motivation is pivotal in determining your negotiation position and strategy. Understand, that this information will likely be difficult to obtain. But if available, this information can lead to purchasing a great deal.

Another suggestion includes tracking how long potential homes have been on the market. The longer a house sits, the more anxious the seller may become and this knowledge provides buyers the opportunity to capitalize on the situation when submitting an offer. A newly-listed property or one that has just reduced their price to encourage buyers more than likely not will present a less seriously-negotiable purchase environment.

Buyers looking to negotiate may also want to seek homes with as many updates and improvements at possible. Frequently, fixer-uppers have already been discounted to reflect their condition, and thereby limit the room to further negotiate. Nonetheless, if you find a home that is in need of some repair or upkeep you may be able to negotiate credits for new appliances or allowances for carpeting or painting. Keep in mind that those credits will likely need to be considered only as closing cost credits which are still acceptable to most mortgage lenders. If there is no need for credits relating to condition, buyers can still ask sellers to provide or assist in paying some closing costs and that many sellers prefer negotiating credits as opposed to doing actual work or repairs within their homes, particularly if the time between contract and closing is limited.

So, once you have done your homework, researched the area in which you wish to live and know the most recent sale prices of similar homes, the fall season could provide some great opportunities. Working with a trusted real estate professional on your team may help to assure you the best chance to recognize and react to these opportunities, so don’t forget to call upon your Realtor for their expert guidance.

Heller Nature Center in Highland Park is offering a great get together for children and their parents. It’s an opportunity to learn about stars in their Starlab and then take a trip outside the Starlab to identify different constellations. Join other local families for a night of fun held:

Heller Nature Center is a nature preserve in northwestern Highland Park complete with trails, a nature center with museum and several features throughout the site such as a pond, bonfire circle and bird habitat. The center offers a piece of wild Illinois that is not otherwise available in the area. Heller is also available for meetings, birthday parties and other events. Park Rangers are happy to talk about the land and explain the exhibits or answer any questions about the center.

Come out to beautiful Highland Park this Saturday for the Ravina Festival and Martin Theatre.

This family friendly event will have an instrument “petting zoo” from 12-1pm!

Founded in 1979 by Ravinia Festival Trustee and cellist Larry Block, the Highland Park Strings is a local orchestra with a mission to provide community concerts where families, friends and North Shore neighbors can gather for an afternoon of musical enjoyment at the highest level. Led by Principal Director Francesco Milioto, the orchestra features top-notch soloists, including members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and gifted rising stars who are given the opportunity to perform for an appreciative audience

The CSL Art Exhibition was the vision of Dr. E. J. Duffy, Principal of Glenbrook North High School. His goal was to unify the CSL Schools through the visual arts, in a non-competitive environment.

Organized and facilitated by CSL Art Educators, the inaugural show was at Northbrook Court in 1988. The intent is to further nurture and cultivate a sense of Community and Commonality amongst all participants centered in the Visual Arts.

Friday, April 8th from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm you can check out the exhibit at the Art Center Highland Park at 1957 Sheridan Road in Highland Park.